distant

dis·tant

adjective \ˈdis-tənt\

Definition of DISTANT

1

a : separated in space : away <a mile distant>

b : situated at a great distance : far-off <a distant galaxy>

c : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart

d : far behind <finished a distant third>

2

: separated in a relationship other than spatial <a distant cousin> <the distant past>

3

: different in kind <from two very distant backgrounds>

4

: reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold <was distant and distracted>

5

a : going a long distance <distant voyages>

b : concerned with remote things <distant thoughts>

— dis·tant·ly adverb

— dis·tant·ness noun

Examples of DISTANT

1. In the distant past, dinosaurs roamed the earth.
2. The day I left home is now a distant memory.

Origin of DISTANT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISTANT

Synonyms

away, deep, far, faraway, far-flung, far-off, remote, removed

Antonyms

close, near, nearby, nigh

Related Words

apart, devious, isolated, lonesome, nowhere, obscure, odd, outlying, out-of-the-way, retired, secluded, secret, sequestered

Near Antonyms

adjacent, adjoining, contiguous